President Robert Kocharian has accepted his aide's resignation (AFP)
YEREVAN, 24 February 2006 (RFE/RL) -- A top aide to Armenia's president has resigned, a week after announcing he is to launch a new political party.

The office of President Robert Kocharian said today he signed a decree relieving chief of staff Artashes Tumanian of his duties.

On 17 February, Tumanian announced that he was launching a new party, Nor Yerkir (New Country), with the aim of bringing Armenia closer to the European Union.